More really positive news in the world of stillbirth and baby loss.
A genuine and sincere well done to Hull Women and Children’s Hospital! On 7 June, specialist midwives will remember the precious babies who were taken too soon.
With the help of the charity, Count the Kicks, the first Rainbow Baby Day is being organised to support families who have lost a baby following a miscarriage, stillbirth or death shortly after birth (neonatal death) and who go on to have another child.
According to an article featured in Hull Live, a rainbow banner will be placed in the foyer of the hospital to raise awareness.
Sarah Green, specialist midwife was interviewed by Hull Live and she said that
She said: “Women who have lost a baby before are understandably anxious when they find out they are pregnant again and come back to us.
“To help them, we give them a special wooden rainbow plaque funded by Sands which can be attached to the outside of their door to show staff their new baby is not their first.
“While some women are happy to talk about the baby they have lost, others find it difficult and this stops them having to explain over and over again that this isn’t their first baby”.
What is a rainbow baby?
A rainbow baby is a baby born following the loss of another baby. It is called a rainbow baby because it is like a rainbow after a storm, or after a dark and turbulent time.
For more information please see https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/news/hull-east-yorkshire-news/rainbow-baby-day-marked-hull-2940888
This is the second well done to Hull Women and Children’s hospital! According to the Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust website, the Trust have reduced stillbirth by 36 per cent from 25 in 2016/17 to 14 so far in 2018/2019 and I have written a blog about this previously https://stillbirthclaims.com/reduction-in-stillbirths-rates-at-hospital-in-hull/
I think this is initiative a such a thoughtful one. It costs very little. It would provide huge comfort to bereaved parents and anything that helps to break the taboo that surrounds stillbirth and neonatal death should be applauded.
I speak firsthand when I say that I know how difficult it is to be pregnant and to give birth after stillbirth. It is akin to mental torture. Naivety and innocence replaced with fear and anxiety. I have never met a bereaved mother who hasn’t found their subsequent pregnancy difficult.
I am very blessed to have gone onto have three rainbow babies. I have experienced one of the the worst outcomes of pregnancy but also the best and for that I feel extremely privileged.
Well done again Hull Women and Children’s hospital. I hope you set a trend and that the idea is taken up by other NHS Trusts throughout the country.
If you or a loved one would like to discuss a stillbirth compensation claim or neonatal death compensation claim, please do not hesitate to contact us.